Helicopter Flight InstructorFI(H) Scholarship

Scholarship Details

The Flight Instructor Scholarship will be awarded to a candidate selected from applicants who complete their CPL(H) modular flying course at Helicentre Aviation Academy before 30th September 2017. The scholarship winner will be awarded the FI(H) course on the Cabri G2, Schweizer 300 or Robinson R22 (dependant on type ratings held) and will be offered full time employment as a Flight Instructor on completion of training.

Scholarship Value

£18,000

Application Criteria

The initial selection process for the FI(H) scholarship will be based on the information provided on your application form. Following a review of the application form by the panel, applicants will be invited to attend an interview in autumn 2017 once the application deadline has passed. Following the initial interview selected candidates will be invited to attend a further interview where a 15 minute presentation on any chosen subject must be delivered to the panel prior to the final selection being made.

1) What is the Flight Instructor (Helicopter) Scholarship?

The scholarship will be awarded to one successful applicant and will cover the direct training costs of the FI(H) course at Helicentre Aviation Academy and on completion, the opportunity to work as a Flight Instructor.

2) Why is Helicentre Aviation offering a Scholarship?

For sixteen years we have been training new pilots from zero to commercial pilot and flight instructor, and we are always on the look out for the right people to join our team and fly for us. Our Chairman identified many years ago that a pilot shortage was on the horizon and that the need for assisting the right candidates achieve their objectives existed. Our success stories are plentiful; our former students are working in different roles all over the world doing living their dream, flying helicopters! We speak to hundreds of people every year who aspire to be commercial helicopter pilots and flight instructors, many of whom are unable to commit to the full training programme due to financial constraints. Choosing to become a commercial helicopter pilot is a life-changing decision and we are delighted for the third year running to be able to offer one of our motivated and passionate CPL(H) graduates the opportunity to realise their dream and start working as a helicopter flight instructor.

3) How much is the FI(H) Scholarship worth?

4) Will I have to pay any of it back?

Not at all. The successful applicant will be granted a once in a lifetime opportunity which we hope will be the start of a long and fruitful career as a Professional Helicopter Pilot and Flight Instructor.

5) Will I be bonded in return for being awarded the Scholarship?

Not as such, however we are looking for a candidate who wants to work as part of a great instructional team, and will be offering the scholarship winner a full time salaried position on completion of the FI(H) course which will be a great opportunity to wear in the new FI(H) certificate, get unrestricted and build lots of hours in a relatively short period of time.

6) Are there any age restrictions associated with the Scholarship?

7) Do I need to arrange my own Class 1 Medical certificate?

Yes, at the time of application through to scholarship award a valid Class 1 Medical certificate must be held. This is to ensure you are medically fit and eligible for the issue of a FI(H) when the time comes. If you are awarded the scholarship the Class 1 Medical must be maintained throughout your training at your own cost. We are also now accepting applications for the FI(H) scholarship from candidates who are unable to obtain a Class 1 Medical due to medical restrictions, since a change in regulation has now made it possible to instruct on a Class 2 Medical. Applicants who wish to apply for the scholarship on a Class 2 Medical must have completed the CPL(H) theoretical knowlege examinations and covered at least the VFR element of the CPL(H) modular flying course syllabus, as well as meeting the pre-requisite hours to commence the FI(H) course.

8) Do I need any previous flying experience to apply?

In order to be eligible to apply for the FI(H) scholarship, you must have completed your CPL(H) modular flying course with Helicentre Aviation Academy and submitted your completed application before the scholarship deadline.

9) Why is the Scholarship only open to Helicentre Aviation CPL(H) Graduates?

Helicentre Aviation Academy invests heavily in assisting motivated individuals fund their professional training, therefore it is essential that we are confident in the candidate's ability o the challenge and sucessfully complete their training. Choosing from graduates of our own training programme, having watched them progress through training and seen them interact with our staff and with other students gives us the best opportunity to assess ability, performance and personality, which are important factors in selecting a suitable candidate for the scholarship award and for future employment.

10) I really want to apply for the scholarship. Can I transfer in from my current school?

If you have started training at another school and wish to transfer to complete your CPL(H) training with us, we will look at this on a case by case basis. We wouldn't normally recommend a change of training provider part way through a CPL(H) modular flying course as the course is very intensive, however it is possible with prior appoval from the Head of Training and with the authority of the the CAA licencing and training standards department.

11) What type ratings do I need to hold in order to apply?

At the time of application at least one current and valid type rating must be held on either the Cabri G2, Schweizer 300 or Robinson R22. If the licence application has not yet been processed, you must have in your possession a copy of the skill test report form provided by the CAA examiner who tested you for the CPL(H) skill test. You must ensure your rating is current at scholarship application deadline, and if selected, throughout the selection process.

12) Is the FI(H) scholarship open to international students?

Yes, international students who are permitted to study and work in the EU are most welcome to train with us, however it will be your responsibility to arrange your own living arrangements and visas if required. Applicants must have achieved English language level 6, which will be assessed during the RT test or CPL(H) skill test.

13) If I am awarded the scholarship will I need to pay for anything myself?

The scholarship winner will receive fully funded flight instructor course training (a maximum of 30 hours) and aircraft hire for the Assessment of Competence (a maximum of 1.5 hours) from the date the scholarship is awarded. Any training towards the qualification already undertaken by the winner prior to the scholarship award date is not covered by the scholarship and will not be re-imbursed. The cost of keeping your medical certificate and at least one type rating current, as well as any travel, subsistence, and accommodation costs will be your own responsibility. Additionally any fees payable directly to the CAA for examinations or issue of the FI(H) certifictate will be at your cost. If selected as the scholarship winner, prior to the course start date you will need to have completed 220 hours in helicotpers including 100 hours PIC and have passed a pre-entry test on the aircraft type you plan to training on during the course. These requriements do not have to be met prior to the scholarship being awarded. Should you fail a test after your first attempt, you will be responible for covering the cost of the re-sit, including the aircraft hire, if applicable.

14) How do I apply?

Register your interest on the Helicentre Aviation website and a member of our training team will get in touch by phone or e-mail to run through the application criteria and answer any questions you may have. If you wish to go ahead, you can enrol you on the CPL(H) course there and then, or you can visit us to meet the team and speak to the intructors, students and hour builders before making your decision. Once enrolled you will recieve a copy of the scholarships application form.

15) When is the application deadline?

You have until 30th September 2018 to complete your CPL(H) and submit your application for the FI(H) scholarship. If you have sent your licence application to the CAA but have not yet received it back, don't worry, we can accept a copy of your skill test report form as proof of qualification. As of this year it is now possible to hand in your application form as soon as you are enrolled on the CPL(H) course, even though you haven't yet completed the CPL(H) yet. Doing this will make our scholarships team aware of your intention to be a scholarship candidate, and it will help us to plan more accurately the number of interview slots for the selection process. If you would like to do this simply download the form, and complete section one. You won't be able to go any furhter than this yet, so simply hand it to our training co-ordinator and it will be kept safe in a file until you have passed your CPL(H) skill test. At this point we can hand it back to you so you can fill out the remaining sections of the form and sign the declaration.

16) What is involved in the selection process after I have applied?

The initial selection process for the FI(H) scholarship will be based on the information provided on your application form. Following a review of the application form by the panel, applicants will be invited to attend an interview. Following the initial interview selected candidates may be invited to attend a further interview where a 15 minute presentation on any chosen subject must be delivered to the panel prior to the final selection being made. The selected candidate must be avialable to undergo a full time Flight Instructor Course between 1st January 2019 and 31st December 2019.

17) How do I find out more about the CPL(H) course?

The first step is to register your interest so that a member of our team can call you to discuss the training process in more detail. We would like to invite you to meet our Chief Flying Instructor, attend a one-to-one career chat with our training co-ordinator, meet the staff and current students, and have a look around the helicopters and the facilities. Optional trial flights can be arranged at cost to give you the opportunity to decide whether a new career as a helicopter pilot is right for you. Additionally you may wish to attend one of our free career seminars which are held every month. Call us on 0116 259 0186 if you would like to have a chat with a member of our training team.

18) I'm a Blades Pro student. Can I still apply for the scholarship?

Good news! Blades Pro students can apply for the scholarship on completion of the the CPL(H) element of your programme. If this is achieved before the scholarship deadline you simply need to submit your application form and if selected as the scholarship winner, you will be re-imbursed the proportion of your course fees releating to the FI(H) course.